What You Need to Know About Social Media and Your Case

One of the first questions we ask clients when they come to our law firm is if they use any form of social media. While most people use websites like Facebook or Twitter to connect with their friends and families, sometimes that habit has to change when they're involved in a personal injury case.

In some cases, insurance companies are permitted to monitor your social media activity. Even using privacy settings or taking other preventive measures may not stop them from accessing your information and posts. The truth is that insurance companies will go to great lengths to skew the case in their favor. Any photo or status update that you post can be misinterpreted, hurting and hindering your case.

That's why we often suggest that our clients shut down their social media accounts for the duration of their case. However, as anyone who uses social media knows, sometimes this is not possible. For this reason, I have provided a few social media tips to consider after you are involved in an accident:

Make your Facebook account viewable to friends only – not "friends of friends," etc.

Don't accept friend requests from individuals you do not know. This "person" may be an account created by an investigator seeking information about you and your injury.

Don't take or post any photos that could suggest the injuries you suffered are not as serious as you claim. Even the simplest actions can be taken out of context and used against you in your case.

Don't divulge information concerning the case and its proceedings. This information can and will be used against you if an investigator believes it could build a stronger case against you.

Tell your friends and family not to tag you in any photos, posts, or videos on social media during your case. If an investigator can't access your information, they may be able to access the profile of someone close to you.

I can't stress enough how important it is to keep your personal information private. It may seem unfair that social media can be used against you, but it's always better to be safe than sorry. Think twice before you post anything, and rely on us to fight for the compensation you deserve.

Copyright 2002-2016. EdgarSnyder.com is sponsored by the Law Offices of Edgar Snyder & Associates®, A Law Firm Representing Injured People. Attorney Edgar Snyder & Associates has offices throughout Western Pennsylvania including locations in: Pittsburgh, Erie, Johnstown, Ebensburg, and Altoona. All of our lawyers are licensed to practice law in the state of Pennsylvania. We also have attorneys licensed to practice law in the states of West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, and Virginia. Although this website is not intended to solicit clients for matters outside of the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia, if you are injured in an accident, we have relationships with other personal injury attorneys and lawyers throughout the United States.
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